Retinol-Binding Protein 4, Leptin, and Insulin Resistance in Idiopathic Hirsutism and Hirsute Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

    May 2013 in “ Journal of the Egyptian Women's Dermatologic Society (Print) ”
    Rasha A.H. El-Barbary, Enas E. El-Said, Fayza Ahmad, Mervat E.S. Al-Wakeel
    Image of study
    TLDR Women with idiopathic hirsutism and PCOS have higher RBP4 levels, and PCOS is linked to greater insulin resistance; weight management may help both conditions.
    The study investigated the levels of retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), leptin, and insulin resistance in 14 women with idiopathic hirsutism (IH), 11 women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and 13 healthy controls. It found that RBP4 levels were significantly higher in both the IH and PCOS groups compared to the controls, with no significant difference between the IH and PCOS groups. Insulin resistance was significantly higher in the PCOS group compared to controls, but not between the IH group and controls. Leptin levels were not significantly different across all groups. The study concluded that RBP4 might play a role in the pathogenesis of both IH and PCOS, and that weight management strategies could be beneficial for patients with IH, similar to those with PCOS.
    Discuss this study in the Community →